Fans invited to 2019 WRC launch

Fans will be at the forefront of a high-profile 2019 FIA World Rally Championship launch at January’s Autosport International show in Birmingham.

The opening public day on 12 January will become WRC Super Saturday as the stars and the cars of the new season are presented together for the first time, less than two weeks before Rallye Monte-Carlo (24 - 27 January) kicks-off the campaign.

The four manufacturer teams representing Citroën, Hyundai, M-Sport Ford and Toyota will unveil their 2019 challengers and liveries on the Autosport main stage at the NEC Birmingham on Saturday morning.

The drivers, co-drivers and team principals will then share their thoughts on the season ahead during a packed day of activities, which will also include autograph sessions and appearances from competitors in the WRC 2 and Junior WRC support classes.

This year’s WRC was launched at the show for the first time on Thursday’s opening media day. Organisers, WRC Promoter and teams decided to capitalise on the huge success by targeting Saturday’s first public day for 2019 to give fans the opportunity to be a part.

WRC Promoter Oliver Ciesla said he believed the move would generate an even more spectacular opening to the new campaign.

“Ahead of what is lining up to be another exceptionally competitive year, there is no better way to launch next year’s FIA World Rally Championship than at the show, which kicks off the start of the new motorsport season.

“With all of the 2019 cars, drivers and team principals at the show, fans will get their WRC fix ahead of the season opening Rallye Monte-Carlo,” he said.